Women’s lacrosse: Drexel opens with 12-7 victory over George Washington

The Drexel women’s lacrosse team opened its season with a resounding 12-7 victory over George Washington on Sunday afternoon, heating up a chilly day at Vidas Field with some strong offensive production by two of its senior leaders. Kelly Palace scored five goals and Amanda Norcini (Conestoga) added four as Drexel got a win in its first game under newly-minted head coach Hannah Rudloff.

The Dragons (1-0) outshot George Washington (1-1) 29-15 for the day, and controled play nearly the entire way. After scoring the first goal of the afternoon, the Dragons ceded the lead briefly as the Colonials netted the next two. Drexel responded with a 5-0 run to take a 6-2 lead with 8:18 remaining in the first half. The Dragons would not look back from there.

Norcini got the game’s first tally just over three minutes into the action. After Allie Rash and Jamie Bumgardner (Gwynedd Mercy Academy) each scored for George Washington over the next three minutes, the Dragons shook off the rust and took control. Palace notched her first score of the season at the 22:51 mark in the first half. She would add two more during the Dragons’ 5-0 run, as well as two second-half goals that left Drexel with a 10-4 advantage with 11:07 to play. The big game was a welcome sight for Drexel fans, who saw Palace suffer a season-ending injury midway through last season after scoring 16 goals in her first 10 contests.

Eva Winiarski connected for her first collegiate goal just under nine minutes into the game. Her score gave Drexel a 3-2 lead, and put the Dragons ahead for good. Emily Duffey, who tallied 10 goals during her freshman campaign, also scored a first-half goal for the Dragons.

Coming out of the break up 6-3, Drexel scored the first three goals of the second half to further cement their lead. Norcini’s second made it 7-3 just 1:55 into the period, followed by Palace’s fourth. Norcini made it a hat trick with her third goal, the eventual game-winner, at the 25:49 mark. Joelle Hartke, who would add a goal and another assist later in the half, helped on Norcini’s score.

Sophomore goalkeeper Teresha Bradley stopped five George Washington shots to earn her first win of the season.

Drexel will return to action at Vidas Field in one week, as the Dragons host crosstown rival Saint Joseph’s next Sunday at 1:00 p.m.